thanks for the answer. That helped me a lot!
Maybe a stupid question but how do you carry your ideas with you (on a computer or written on paper or anything)?

Been listening to your record with Gleb Kolyadin. Lovely!
On the Song "The Best of Days" I like this very subtle and soft drumsound you supported the song with perfectly.
How do you get that sound? Is it played with a brush on the toms or a kind of percussion drum...it sounds a bit like that but also more gentle - almost like you played it with your hands? Can you give more of an inside view what you did there - itīs hard to figure it out but it sounds amazing.
Greetings

__________________Drum-Ing.

Last edited by Robert Schmidt; 03-24-2018 at 12:00 PM.
Reason: added question

Maybe a stupid question but how do you carry your ideas with you (on a computer or written on paper or anything)?

Usually on paper. Before I set off on a tour I scan a lot of notation pages of ideas that I've been working on so I can have it on my computer.

Been listening to your record with Gleb Kolyadin. Lovely!
On the Song "The Best of Days" I like this very subtle and soft drumsound you supported the song with perfectly.
How do you get that sound? Is it played with a brush on the toms or a kind of percussion drum...it sounds a bit like that but also more gentle - almost like you played it with your hands?

I think it's brushes. It's so quiet in the mix I can't really tell. Glad you like the record it was an interesting record to make.

how are you? I think you must be in the middle of King Crimson rehearsals.

I sometimes read Tony Levins road diary and I always get the impression that it must be such an intricate and complex gig.
On his newest entry he wrote underneath a picture of you:
"I donít know about the others, but my process to chart a complicated Crimson piece (one that I havenít learned yet) is usually to write the whole thing out, then after a few rehearsals, write a simpler version with names for the sections. Then a still simpler one, hopefully one page."

Question is: how do you do it? The same? Is it maybe possible to get an impression of what a chart from you looks like? (If not - thatīs perfectly okay.)
Are you guys "allowed" to still have sort of a cheat sheet on stage?

Hi Robert Schmidt
I think you must be in the middle of King Crimson rehearsals.

The first part of rehearsals are now completed. We will do more rehearsing before the start of the tour next month.
Is it maybe possible to get an impression of what a chart from you looks like? (If not - thatīs perfectly okay.)
Are you guys "allowed" to still have sort of a cheat sheet on stage?

The three drummers are at the front of the stage so it wouldn't look good if we had music stands and charts on stage. I do write out a basic chart with some basic patterns on it - but I don't always write out what I will eventually be playing (as it might change or evolve over the rehearsals as we discuss what works or doesn't work between the three drummers). It is very hard to get to the point where you can play these really complicated arrangements (where the rest of the band are relying on you not to mess up) and not look at the chart. Just for reference this was the chart I originally wrote out for a piece called "Fracture" - and this based upon a demo that I made with Jakko Jakszyk (King Crimson's singer guitarist) where I multi tracked three drum kits. The demo itself went through 11 different arrangement versions over a couple of months before the band even got into the same room.

I was watching this great interview today, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs0FH1Rantc, and I was just curious as to which clothing company made your shirt. I really like the colors/patterns and would love to find one for myself, lol.

I want a punchier sound on my 20" kick. I'm using hard felt beaters (all round) and am considering the Vater redwood beaters. Any thoughts on those vs. the plastic or rubber types? Thank you.

I haven't used a 20" in many years - but I do prefer the plastic type beaters. I'm not familiar with the Vater redwood beaters so I can't really help you.

Hi euphoric_anomaly

I was watching this great interview today, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vs0FH1Rantc, and I was just curious as to which clothing company made your shirt. I really like the colors/patterns and would love to find one for myself, lol.

For some reason which I cannot explain, i only recently discovered Porcupine Tree - I must have been living in a hole somewhere (well, I suppose South Africa could qualify, depending on who you ask :-)) as I am in my late 40's and have no excuse. I am blown away by the Deadwing album and your drumming on songs like Deadwing, Lazarus, Halo and (my absolute favourite and one of the best songs that I’ve ever heard) Arriving Somewhere But Not Here are incredible. Obviously that's also my first real exposure to your playing. I absolutely love how you play for the song, mostly keeping it simple and solid, rarely extravagant but adding some odd signatures and tasteful fills when needed just to spice things up. I find your style of playing very motivational as in my mind it perfectly blends feel and skill.

If I may ask: what is your favourite PT album to listen to and your favourite for playing on? (I know its not strictly drumming related but hey, if you can be asked about your clothing brands, I should be ok:-))